A teacher in China asked me to help with the following queries:
1) Can students ask the IELTS examiner to repeat a question?
Yes. They can say something like: "Sorry, can you repeat that please?". It won't affect your score if you do this.
2) Can students ask the examiner to clarify a question?
Not in part 1 or 2. The examiner can only repeat the same question in part 1, and refer you to the task card in part 2. In part 3, it's fine for students to ask for clarification e.g. "Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean by that". The examiner is allowed to rephrase the question in part 3. If you ask for clarification once, it shouldn't affect your score, but don't do this too many times!
3) Can students ask the examiner to define a word?
Again, only in part 3. The student could say: "Sorry, could you explain what you mean by... (unknown word)?"
4) Can students ask for more time to think?
I don't recommend doing that. Students lose marks for long hesitations, so it's best for them to practise answering quickly.
5) Can students ask to miss a question in parts 1 and 3?
They can, but they will lose points, so I don't recommend doing this. It's always best to attempt an answer.
6) Can students ask for a different topic in part 2?
No. They must take the topic card that the examiner gives them.
hi simon. I would just like to ask if there is a penalty if in case the interviewee was not able to talk for 1 to 2mins in part 2. And if there is, how severe is it going to be? I only discussed the topic given to me for 45secs. I need a band score of 7.
Thank you in advance for your answer. And thank you for this site.
Posted by: ivy | August 28, 2015 at 12:22
Hi Simon,
Do you think examiners would shed bias upon Chinese candidates as many of them use memorised phrases too much? I mean, if examiners got annoyed by those activities, will they give relatively lower scores based on their impressions?
Thank you
Posted by: Phil | August 28, 2015 at 12:42
Hi Simon
I was told by a by a person who used to be a former British council trained examiner that it is OK to ask examiner to change the speaking subject. Is it really possible, without losing the score?
Posted by: Aria | August 28, 2015 at 14:29
Hi Simon
We Chinese students preparing ielts always have some prombles in websites containing a video which you recommend to us. How can we free from this kind of barrels in China without limitation? Please show me the way to watch learing video totally. Thank you for your reply so much.
Posted by: starq | August 28, 2015 at 15:01
Hi Simon
I want to ask a question that if someone cancel his registered ielts test then other candidate can register his exam for same date instantly or not
Posted by: jk | August 28, 2015 at 15:34
I remember that once my IELTS tutor told us that we may can answer the question with words slightly changed when candidates did not have a general knowledge to that answer. For example, if examiner asked a student to describe the life cycle of mosquitoes, I think fewer students could have knowledge about it, in this case we may can ask examiner if we could talk about the life cycle of babies.
Posted by: tian | August 29, 2015 at 07:42
Hi, start
As far as I know that some foreign sites are blocked and prohibited in China.I don't think Chinese people can decoding those sites in order to find a solution to access.
Posted by: tian | August 29, 2015 at 07:47
Ivy,
If you speak for less than a minute, you probably won't say very much, and this will affect your scores for vocabulary and fluency. It's impossible to say how much of an effect that this will have on your score, but it will affect it I'm afraid.
...
Phil,
Any candidate (not only Chinese students) who uses lots of memorised phrases risks making a bad impression, especially if those phrases are 'fillers' or 'linkers'. If you memorise a phrase about a particular topic, that's different.
...
Aria,
When I was an examiner, candidates weren't allowed to ask to change the question in speaking part 2. I don't think this has changed.
...
starq,
Some people use a VPN to access videos.
...
jk,
You'll need to check that with your test centre.
...
tian,
No, I don't agree with that. Part 2 questions are never about specialist things like the life cycle of a mosquito. If you don't answer the question, the examiner will think that you don't have the required language knowledge. This will affect your score. Always answer the question!
Posted by: Simon | August 29, 2015 at 19:36
Thanks, Simon, I really appreciate your comments.
Regards
Posted by: Phil | August 30, 2015 at 01:23
thank you! Simon, I'm grateful for your answer.If somebody has a free VPN website or a access to get it, I will achieve it without any effort.
Best regards.
Posted by: starq | August 30, 2015 at 16:01
Thanks Simon...
Hi guys ...
I am looking for a speaking partner to practice with each other on Skype,Igot 6.5 in speaking, my Id is slloom2014
Posted by: Slloom | August 30, 2015 at 21:27
Hi Simon,
I understand it's important to say something, otherwise they won't be able to examine our English speaking skills.
But what if you really don't know how to answer a question?
Thank you!
Posted by: Andrew | September 01, 2015 at 10:47
hi simon...
I had given this exam once and scored 6 in speaking and now I am aiming for 7. so, please helpme to achieve my score and guide me what would I do?
Posted by: kim | September 03, 2015 at 06:55
Dear Simon,
I find your site very helpful for the exam. Thank you! Although I have one question regarding the Speaking test. Will we have the opportunity to keep tracking the time during the 2-minute-long monologue? (I have heard that we are not allowed to wear a watch on the exam.) I think it could be useful to be on time and cover all points.
I look forward to your answer.
Thank you and best regards,
Eszter
Posted by: Eszter | September 03, 2015 at 12:35
Amazing advices . Really we are need them to gain high band in the exam
Posted by: Amnh | September 11, 2015 at 06:39
Hello again, Simon. I already got the results of my ielts exam. I received 9 9 7 but a 6.5 in speaking. My agency suggested that I have my speaking recording rechecked. Do you think that it's a good idea, eventhough I only talked for 45secs in part2? Many thanks.
Posted by: ivy | September 18, 2015 at 14:44
Only you can make that decision Ivy - it's very difficult to know what to do. Personally I would be a bit concerned that you only spoke for 45 seconds in part 2. This might make it hard to get a band 7.
Posted by: Simon | September 20, 2015 at 13:22
I understand. Thank you Simon.
Posted by: ivy | September 24, 2015 at 15:09